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The inaugural Delta flight 500 from Indianapolis to Charles de Gaulle airport in Paris, takes off from the Indianapolis International Airport, Thursday, May 24, 2018. This is the first direct year-round transatlantic flight from Indianapolis to Paris, which opens the door to more than 75 international destinations in Asia and Europe. Jenna Watson/IndyStar

Passengers board Delta flight 500, the inaugural flight to Charles de Gaulle airport in Paris from the Indianapolis International Airport, Thursday, May 24, 2018. This is the first direct year-round transatlantic flight from Indianapolis to Paris, which opens the door to more than 75 international destinations in Asia and Europe. Jenna Watson/IndyStar

From left, passengers Chad and Becca Meshberger, of Zionsville, Ind., pose for a photo before boarding inaugural Delta flight 500 from Indianapolis to Charles de Gaulle airport in Paris, at the Indianapolis International Airport, Thursday, May 24, 2018. This is the first direct year-round transatlantic flight from Indianapolis to Paris, which opens the door to more than 75 international destinations in Asia and Europe. Jenna Watson/IndyStar

From left, Phillippe Mandeville and Teodora Nitu, students at the International School of Indiana, give a welcome in English and French, to celebrate inaugural Delta flight 500 from Indianapolis to Charles de Gaulle airport in Paris, at the Indianapolis International Airport, Thursday, May 24, 2018. This is the first direct year-round transatlantic flight from Indianapolis to Paris, which opens the door to more than 75 international destinations in Asia and Europe. Jenna Watson/IndyStar

French-themed treats were served for guests and passengers during a celebration for the inaugural Delta flight from Indianapolis to Charles de Gaulle airport in Paris, at the Indianapolis International Airport, Thursday, May 24, 2018. This is the first direct year-round transatlantic flight from Indianapolis to Paris, which opens the door to more than 75 international destinations in Asia and Europe. Jenna Watson/IndyStar

Passengers and guests enjoy French-themed treats during a celebration for inaugural Delta flight 500 from Indianapolis to Charles de Gaulle airport in Paris, at the Indianapolis International Airport, Thursday, May 24, 2018. This is the first direct year-round transatlantic flight from Indianapolis to Paris, which opens the door to more than 75 international destinations in Asia and Europe. Jenna Watson/IndyStar

Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett speaks at a celebration for inaugural Delta flight 500 from Indianapolis to Charles de Gaulle airport in Paris, at the Indianapolis International Airport, Thursday, May 24, 2018. This is the first direct year-round transatlantic flight from Indianapolis to Paris, which opens the door to more than 75 international destinations in Asia and Europe. Jenna Watson/IndyStar

At left, Jay Miller announces when passengers may board Delta flight 500, the inaugural flight from Indianapolis to Charles de Gaulle airport in Paris, at the Indianapolis International Airport, Thursday, May 24, 2018. This is the first direct year-round transatlantic flight from Indianapolis to Paris, which opens the door to more than 75 international destinations in Asia and Europe. Jenna Watson/IndyStar

The inaugural Delta flight 500 from Indianapolis to Charles de Gaulle airport in Paris, takes off from the Indianapolis International Airport, Thursday, May 24, 2018. This is the first direct year-round transatlantic flight from Indianapolis to Paris, which opens the door to more than 75 international destinations in Asia and Europe. Jenna Watson/IndyStar

Dan Powell, of Indianapolis, checks himself in at a kiosk for the inaugural Delta flight 500 from Indianapolis to Charles de Gaulle airport in Paris, at the Indianapolis International Airport, Thursday, May 24, 2018. It is Powell's first time visiting Paris. Jenna Watson/IndyStar

From left, Jan Aldridge Clark and Dianna Davis perform during a celebration for the inaugural Delta flight from Indianapolis to Charles de Gaulle airport in Paris, at the Indianapolis International Airport, Thursday, May 24, 2018. This is the first direct year-round transatlantic flight from Indianapolis to Paris, which opens the door to more than 75 international destinations in Asia and Europe. Jenna Watson/IndyStar

Indiana Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch speaks during a celebration for the inaugural Delta flight from Indianapolis to Charles de Gaulle airport in Paris, at the Indianapolis International Airport, Thursday, May 24, 2018. This is the first direct year-round transatlantic flight from Indianapolis to Paris, which opens the door to more than 75 international destinations in Asia and Europe. Jenna Watson/IndyStar

Passengers wait in line near the Delta ticket counter a few hours before the inaugural flight from Indianapolis to Charles de Gaulle airport in Paris, at the Indianapolis International Airport, Thursday, May 24, 2018. This is the first direct year-round transatlantic flight from Indianapolis to Paris, which opens the door to more than 75 international destinations in Asia and Europe. Jenna Watson/IndyStar

A custom IndyCar celebrates the inaugural Delta flight 500 from Indianapolis to Charles de Gaulle airport in Paris, at the Indianapolis International Airport, Thursday, May 24, 2018. This is the first direct year-round transatlantic flight from Indianapolis to Paris, which opens the door to more than 75 international destinations in Asia and Europe. Jenna Watson/IndyStar

Frederic Chole, the Consulate General of France in Chicago and neighboring states, speaks at a celebration for inaugural Delta flight 500 from Indianapolis to Charles de Gaulle airport in Paris, at the Indianapolis International Airport, Thursday, May 24, 2018. This is the first direct year-round transatlantic flight from Indianapolis to Paris, which opens the door to more than 75 international destinations in Asia and Europe. Jenna Watson/IndyStar

Passengers and guests enjoy a French-themed terminal near the gate for inaugural Delta flight 500 from Indianapolis to Charles de Gaulle airport in Paris, at the Indianapolis International Airport, Thursday, May 24, 2018. This is the first direct year-round transatlantic flight from Indianapolis to Paris, which opens the door to more than 75 international destinations in Asia and Europe. Jenna Watson/IndyStar

Passengers and guests move through the lobby of the Indianapolis International Airport a few hours before the inaugural Delta flight 500 from Indianapolis to Charles de Gaulle airport in Paris, Thursday, May 24, 2018. This is the first direct year-round transatlantic flight from Indianapolis to Paris, which opens the door to more than 75 international destinations in Asia and Europe. Jenna Watson/IndyStar

Passenger Trevor Chuna, of Dayton, Ohio, tastes French-themed desserts during a celebration for the inaugural Delta flight 500 from Indianapolis to Charles de Gaulle airport in Paris, at the Indianapolis International Airport, Thursday, May 24, 2018. This is the first direct year-round transatlantic flight from Indianapolis to Paris, which opens the door to more than 75 international destinations in Asia and Europe. Jenna Watson/IndyStar

Sarah Ferguson takes a photo of her flute of lemonade during a celebration for the inaugural Delta flight 500 from Indianapolis to Charles de Gaulle airport in Paris, at the Indianapolis International Airport, Thursday, May 24, 2018. This is the first direct year-round transatlantic flight from Indianapolis to Paris, which opens the door to more than 75 international destinations in Asia and Europe. Jenna Watson/IndyStar

Passengers wait in line near the Delta ticket counter a few hours before the inaugural flight from Indianapolis to Charles de Gaulle airport in Paris, at the Indianapolis International Airport, Thursday, May 24, 2018. This is the first direct year-round transatlantic flight from Indianapolis to Paris, which opens the door to more than 75 international destinations in Asia and Europe. (Photo: Jenna Watson/IndyStar)Buy Photo

Mario Rodriguez, as passengers bustle past him on a manic Monday in the center of Indianapolis' gateway to the world, talks about the deep frustrations so many travelers encounter at America's airports.

"One of the things we've been studying is how messes happen," Rodriguez, executive director of Indianapolis International Airport, says. "Nobody sets out purposefully to mess up your travel experience."

Weir Cook Terminal, which opened 10 years ago this month, still appears new even after shuttling tens of millions of passengers into and out of the city, including nearly 9 million people last year. The Indy airport experience, unlike in so many other cities, is normally swift and pleasant, in part because the terminal was built for growth well into the future but also because of the high level of service Rodriguez's team provides.

But satisfaction with the status quo is an enemy of excellence. So Rodriguez, a 30-year veteran of airport management, presses for more.

"Why should an airport look like an airport?" he says. "Why should you be made to feel uncomfortable? Why shouldn't we look and feel like a resort hotel?"

The quest to always do better helps explains why a refresh of the terminal is under way. Padded lounge chairs, with electrical outlets, are replacing hard back seats at gates and other key spots inside Weir Cook. New carpet is going down in the concourses. Children's play areas have been added for families awaiting flights.

And the biggest change is set to take off next year. Rodriguez says locally owned retail shops and restaurants will begin to replace many of the national chains that now operate in the terminal.

Local favorite Cafe Patachou is expected to stay. Indy-based Harry & Izzy's may expand. They'll be joined, Rodriguez says, in a three-year cycle of closings, renovations and openings that will bring other Indiana and Indianapolis brands into the terminal for the first time.

The goal is to provide travelers with a memorable sample of made in Indiana cuisine and products soon after they arrive and just before they depart.

"People expect a local flavor. They want to buy local products and to taste local food," Rodriguez says. "We believe we're moving the needle on providing a sense of flavor for Indianapolis and Indiana."

Much of the buzz around the airport this year has centered on its expanded international reach. The first Indy to Paris flights took off in May, with the financial support of Indiana taxpayers. And Gov. Eric Holcomb's administration recently designated additional money to attract more direct flights to international destinations.

The next leg of that expansion likely will be flights to and from Mexico City. Rodriguez says demand from business travelers warrants the investment.

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Indianapolis International Airport Executive Director Mario Rodriguez speaks during the Infosys announcement event, Thursday, April 26, 2018. Infosys announced plans to build a U.S. education center as part of a $245 million campus near the Indianapolis International Airport, providing up to 3000 jobs.(Photo: Kelly Wilkinson/IndyStar)

Additional flights to Europe and the first to Asia may be added eventually if international investment increases here and Indiana businesses continue to grow abroad.

Rodriguez says the state subsidy was essential for Delta Air Lines to take a chance on the Indy-to-Paris connection, but he cautions that airlines won't risk adding flights unless there's evidence for sustained demand. So far, he says, Delta executives are pleased with the number of passengers boarding flights to and from Paris.

A reader asked me recently why taxpayers should be forced to subsidize his European vacation. It's a fair point. Well-to-do leisure travelers do benefit from the lower cost and convenience of direct flights.

But the goal of the state subsidy is to attract more business investment here. We live and compete in an increasingly connected global economy. You have to be able to get there from here and do it with reasonable efficiency to do business in 2018 and beyond.

That's why the growth from 33 direct flights out of Indy four years ago to 51 now is important for the region's economic future. And it's why the state subsidy is reasonable as long as it's treated as temporary seed money and not a long-term commitment.

Yet, the airport's role in economic development goes well beyond passenger flights. Two major developments launched this year help to prove the point.

The Airport Authority controls hundreds of acres of prime real estate, including the old terminal site that sat unused for almost a decade. After the airport suffered through a string of misadventures in redevelopment of the land, Infosys announced plans this year to spend $245 million in building a 141-acre campus where the old terminal stood. Company executives said they hope to create 3,000 jobs in the next five years.

The second major economic prize involves FedEx, the airport's largest tenant, which announced plans to invest $1.5 billion to grow its operations here. The company, which now employs more than 3,500 workers, expects to add about 800 jobs.

Memphis International, where FedEx is based, was the second largest air cargo hub in the world last year, behind Hong Kong. Rodriguez says Indianapolis' airport has a chance to supplant Memphis as the nation's busiest air cargo hub in 10 to 15 years as FedEx continues to grow here.

As the e-commerce revolution continues to dramatically change Americans' shopping habits, Central Indiana has captured a nice portion of the fast-growing logistics sector.

It's not just FexEx. Massive warehouses that serve a variety of retail operations continue to sprout like corn stalks in fields near the airport. Thousands of people have found decent, stable employment in those distribution centers.

Still, most of the logistics jobs created here so far are lower-paying positions at risk of being lost to automation in the future. Complacency now could carry high costs later.

"It's all about not letting the status quo hold you back," Rodriguez says.

He was talking about his own operation. He could have been describing how state and local leaders need to think about Indiana's future.